Nuts & bolts for Super Bowl 54 between the 49ers and Chiefs

It’s been a long NFL season, but the big game is finally arriving. The 2020 Super Bowl, LIV in the Roman numerals, features the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs squaring off in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.

Super Bowl 54 is scheduled to kick off at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX. I say approximately because the pre-game festivities could push this past 6:30. The National Anthem (and probably other songs) plus the coin toss and honoring various folks always add to taking a little longer than people might expect.

This should be a good Super Bowl matchup. The Chiefs bring a ridiculous offense and while their defense is inconsistent, it is loaded with playmakers. Meanwhile, the 49ers bring arguably the best defense in the NFL and a Kyle Shanahan-coached offense that finished this season second in total points.

The Chiefs are a 1.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the point total sitting at 54.5 heading into the weekend. Roughly two thirds of all tickets bet are on the Chiefs to cover, while roughly two thirds of the money bet on the point spread is on the 49ers to cover. Heading into the weekend, over 80 percent of tickets and money bet are on the over.

If Kansas City gets the win, it effectively cements Andy Reid’s legacy. He’s already a Hall of Fame worthy coach, but a Super Bowl might be enough to get him in as soon as he’s eligible. Regardless of how Patrick Mahomes performs in the game, the Chiefs QB will likely head into the offseason viewed by most as the best quarterback in the NFL. Lamar Jackson is going to take home the MVP award this year, but a Super Bowl ring and last year’s MVP award justify Mahomes’ inclusion atop the list of NFL quarterbacks.

If San Francisco wins they secure a sixth Lombardi Trophy, which moves them into a tie with the Patriots and Steelers atop the leaderboard. Kyle Shanahan will throw off the monkey of Super Bowl 53 and the 28-3 lead. If Jimmy Garoppolo has a big game, it will hold off the critics after two playoff games in which he was not as big a part of the game plan. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will get a head coach job sooner than later, but a strong effort against Mahomes & Co. could be enough to lock up a head coach opportunity next January.

There are plenty of storylines that make for a fascinating matchup on and off the field. We’ll have plenty more as the game approaches, but for now, here’s a full rundown of how to watch Super Bowl 54 on Sunday.

Super Bowl 2020

Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
Date: February 2, 2019
Time: 3:30 p.m. PT
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (commentary), Erin Andrews (sideline), Chris Myers (sideline)
Radio: Westwood One Radio Network
Online Streaming: NFL.com, FOXSports.com, Yahoo! Sports phone/tablet web & app, 49ers/Chiefs mobile properties
DraftKings Sportsbook Odds: Chiefs -1.5, 54.5
49ers blog: Niners Nation
Chiefs blog: Arrowhead Pride

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